Tuesday, March 28, 2006

Please Please Please - Part II

reverend Meeks and his "posse" of aldercreatures are demanding a promise of $1 Billion dollars a year for 4 years from Governor Blago or they might run Meeks as an independent. In all likelihood, this is a play by the rev to embarrass Blago into concessions that he wouldn't otherwise make. But we are cheering him on. Nothing like blatant extortion and extremist rhetoric to completely derail an entire movement and hamstring a voting bloc. All those Southern Illinois Democrats that almost put Glen Poshard in the Governor's mansion are about to shift their allegiances to the Republicans what with Meeks and crew promising to raise taxes and the Blago/Daley crew looking to snatch all their guns.

Hmmmm... no matter if the money demanded is for a good purpose or for evil... isn't this extortion? Sounds illegal to request money or have Meeks ruin the democratic chance for governor by splitting the black vote.

ex·tor·tion (ĭk-stôr'shən) n.1:The act or an instance of extorting.2:Illegal use of one's official position or powers to obtain property, funds, or patronage.3:An excessive or exorbitant charge.4:Something extorted.ex·tor'tion·ar'y (-shə-nĕr'ē) adj.ex·tor'tion·ist or ex·tor'tion·er n.

Sure sounds like extortion. Meeks could request the money without expressly stating he would run if it isn't given. But If Meeks or his personnel stated that the money must be allocated or he would run, Meeks' actions would be a criminal offense of extortion.

Out of 48 Aldermen (the other 2 did not have email addresses) we had ONE REPLY.

It was from Ward 19. I was wondering if any of you could call her, stop by, etc to thank her.

Here is her email to us:

vrugai@cityofchicago.org Subject : Re: Honoring Fred Hampton Sr.

Thank you for your email. On March 1st in City Council, we honored a young Policeman, Officer Eric Solorio, who was tragically killed in the line of duty.

He deserves an honorary street sign!

In the 19th Ward, we have 19 honorary street dedications: 3 police officers killed in the line of duty; 1 fallen firefighter; 6 religious leaders; 2 veterans who lost their lives serving our country; 5 educators, 1 director of a local senior citizen facility; and 1 for the Landmark District Walter Burley Griffin.

These are the only types of street dedications that I have introducedand will continue to request at City Council.

I am opposed, and will neversupport, the dedication of the honorary street sign proposed for Fred Hampton.

An individual alderman introduces an ordinance requesting an honorarydesignation. As a formality, it is sent to the Committee on Transportation, andthen, to the entire body for consideration.

Alderman Tom Allen, Chairman of theCommittee on Transportation, has championed reforms to the process of honorary street designations; unfortunately, these have not been adopted.

He has introduced new legislation, which I support, requiring a biographical summary before such an ordinance is heard by the full Council.

Ahhhhh.....but you forget the important part here. THE CRUTCH!!!!If the feds or any one else come after him for extortion, it will be because is black. Not because he broke the law. Because of his skin color. But of course we will have to sit there and listen to his crap and all the brothers will be saying....hey thats right, they are keepin the brother down again because he's black.